A local family is building something sweet for Hernando residents. Led by patriarch Wes Callahan, Sweet Fizz is bringing the dirty soda phenomenon to the area, an effervescent addition certain to delight the concept’s new neighbors.
The Callahans will be bringing the trendy treat to 2362 McIngvale Road later this summer. Wes Callahan kindly set aside time to fill What Now Memphis and its readers in on this new endeavor-its inceptions and what it plans to bring to the Hernando dining scene.
Callahan explains that Sweet Fizz is the happy result of a difficult time. “About a year ago, I was laid off from my job. Looking back, that ended up being a blessing because it pushed our family to start thinking about building something of our own.” he explains. “We wanted a business that our whole family could be part of and one that would bring something new to Hernando. Dirty sodas just kept coming back to the top of the list, and eventually we decided to take the leap.”
When asked about the allure of dirty sodas in particular, Callahan offered a succinct and practical explanation: “About a year ago, I was laid off from my job. Looking back, that ended up being a blessing because it pushed our family to start thinking about building something of our own. We wanted a business that our whole family could be part of and one that would bring something new to Hernando. Dirty sodas just kept coming back to the top of the list, and eventually we decided to take the leap.” One of our best friends lives in Salt Lake City, and for a while he’s told us how popular dirty soda shops are out there. When we would go on family trips to different places, we came across a few dirty soda shops. We loved how simple the idea was, but also how much fun it was. Everyone could get something different based on what they like.”
The Callahans envision Sweet Fizz as more than a soda shop-they want the concept to be a true part of the community. Callahan states: “We’re not trying to be just another place to grab a drink. We want people to know the faces behind the counter, feel welcomed when they walk in, and feel like they’re supporting a local family that’s invested in this community. If people think of Sweet Fizz as a fun place to spend a few minutes with people they care about, we’ll feel like we’ve done our job.”
Sweet Fizz will further cement itself as a friend to its neighbors through convenience: “Another important aspect will be offering curb-side pickup. We know several families may have young kids and getting them in and out of the car can be a hassle. So we plan to launch that option soon after opening.”
Sweet Fizz’s storefront spans 1,100 square feet and will have 2 tabletops, couch seating, and bar stools available. Callahan says the shop will be able to accommodate 10 customers initially, but “If we see that people are wanting to have their drinks in the shop, rather than take them to go, we can add more seating.”
Hernando residents won’t have to wait too much longer to enjoy all that Sweet Fizz has to offer; Callahan says: “We have completed our renovations and gotten all of our equipment installed. Right now, we are just waiting on final inspections and we are about to start hiring. We are planning for an 8/1 opening, but that will be based on how quickly we can get the inspections complete.”
Sweet Fizz is poised to be a truly special addition to the community, with the beating heart of the family spearheading it ensuring it is run with kindness and welcome for all. Callahan sums up the collective vision for the establishment, saying: “We just want it to be a place people enjoy being. Somewhere you can stop after a ballgame, after dinner, or just because you want to grab a good treat with a friend. We hope students feel comfortable hanging out after school, families make it part of their weekend, and people leave with a smile.”
